Shade for electric lights.



No. 64|.6l3. Patented lan. I6, |900. W. D. SMITH.

SHADE FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

(Application filed Aug. 1` 1899.) (N0 Model.) 2 sheets-Sheet l.

P atqnted lan. I6, |906.

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(No Model.)

STATES Eric WALTON DUANE SMITH, OF PROPHETSTOWN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OFONE- HALF TO VILLIAM MCNEILL, OF SAME PLACE.

SHADE Foa ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent N0. 641,613, dated January16, 1900.

Application iiled August 1, 1899.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WAL'roN DUANE SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Prophetstown, in the county of Vhiteside and State ofIllinois, haveinvented a new and useful Shade for Electric Lights, ofwhich the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to lamp-shades in general, and more vparticularlyto that class employed in connection with electric lights of theincandescent type, although, as it will be readily appreciated from thefollowing description, it may be applied to-a lamp of other style andmayalso be applied to a gaslourner, rbc. 4

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective meansfor holding a shade at different elevations with respect to the lightand also to provide means for enabling the adjustment of the shade withrespect to an incandescent lamp supported from a flexible wire and insuch'a manner as to preventinjury to the insulation of the wire.

In thedrawings forming a portion of this specification, and in whichlike numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views,Figure l is a perspective view showing one form of the invention appliedto an incandescent electric light suspended from a iieXible wire. Fig. 2shows a different construction of the clutch mechanism employed underthe same conditions as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of athird form of clutch mechanism andr showing a shade applied to ametallic bracket of tubular form, to the end of which is fixed anincandescent electric light. Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing a shadeprovided with the clutch mechanism illustrated inFig. 1 applied Yto thesupporting-tube of a light. Fig. 5is a detail perspective of one of theelements of the clutch shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail plan View ofthe clutch mechanism detached from the shade, the positions of theclutch elements being indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 7 is a section online 7 7 of Fig. 3 with portions of the shade omitted.

Referring now to the drawings, in constructing a shade in accordancewith one form of the invention there is formed a canopy 5 of any desiredform and material,although there is shown in each instance afrusto-'conical serai no. 725,785. (No mau.)

shade. At the minor end of the shade 5 is fixed a spring-metal ring 6,preferably of cylindrical form, and at dianietrically opposite points atits upper edge there are attached or formed clutch members 7 and 8. Theclutch members 7 and 8 are similar in construction, and each consists ofa plate comprising parallel members 9 and 10, connected by aweb 6o l1,and the inner faces of which members are separated by an interspace. Themembers 9 and 10 are correspondingly corrugated, and one of said clutchelements has its parallel members separated a su ihcient distance torc-4 65 ceive the opposite elements, the element thus received havingits free edges bent inwardly, as shown at 12 in Fig. 1 of the drawings,thus forming, in effect, a box. Both clutch elements are formed ofspring metal, and their 7o dimensions are such that when one is passedinto the other the outer element will be eX- panded until the corrugatedportions are in meshing positions, when it will contract to hold theelements in engagement.

The outer edges of the members 9 and 10 of each clutch element arerecessed, as shown at 13, the recesses of each element being in verticalalinement. These clutch elements are pivotally connected atdiametrically op- 8o posite points of the ring 6 through the medium ofpins 14, passed through the lowermost members 10 of each element andthrough the inwardly-directed portion of a plate fixed to the outer faceof said ring, although, as will be readily understood, thisinwardly-direotedportion may be integral with the ring. This pivotalconnection of the clutch elements with the ring 6 is such that when thering is in its normal position and the clutch 9o elements are inengagement the members 9 and 10 of one element will partially cover therecesses 13 of the opposite element, resulting in the formation of arectangular perforation through the engaged elements. The central lpoint of each recess 13 of each clutch element lies on the same side ofthe center of the ring 6 as a pivot let of that element, and thus, as itwill be seen upon reference to Figs. l and 6 of the drawings, if thering be compressed Ioo on a line connecting the pivots 14 the clutchelements will be caused to slide with respect to each other, and thusincrease, the corresponding dimension of the said rectangularperforation. When the ring is released, its elasticity will draw theclutch elements into their original positions, and if, while the ring iscompressed, a body be passed through the vertical perforation of theclutch and the ring be then released, if such body have a properdimension the clutch will grip'it firmly, and thus will support the ring6 and the shade connected therewith. In order to facilitate thedisengagement of the clutch element, the web 11 of each element iscontinued slightly beyond the free end ofthe latter and is turnedoutwardly to form a finger-piece 15, as shown.

In the application of this device to a lamp supported by a iiexible wire16, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is provided for said wirea rigid casing comprising two plates 17 and 18, each of which isU-shaped in crosssection and of spring metal, one of said plates beingadapted to receive and frictionally hold the other and the separation ofthe webs of such plates being less than the diameter of the wire 16 whensaid plates are moved inwardly to their limit of motion. Thus theseplates may be disposed to inclose a portion of a wire 16 with one of theplates inclosing the other, and may be so adjusted that their frictionalengagement will prevent separation'of the plates and also preventsliding of the plates with respect to the wire under normal conditions.In practice after these plates have been disposed upon the wire theclutch elements are separated, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, andthe shade is then passed upwardly and over the lamp 18 and to a positionwith the ring 6 encircling the plates 17 and 18. The ring is thencompressed and the clutch elements are moved into mutual engagement andto receive in their recesses 13 the mutually-engaged plates 17 and 18.Upon then releasing the ring 6 the elasticity thereof will operate theclutch elements to cause frictional engagement of the end walls of therecesses 13 with the plates 17 and 18, respectively. To adj ust theshade vertically or longitudinally of the plates 17 and 18, it is onlynecessary to compress the ring 6, when the clutch elements will releasesaid plates and the desired movement may be given to the shade.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings there is shown a modification which includes ashade 25, having a ring 26 iixed thereto, and the same in every respectwith similar portions of lthe structure shown in Fig. 1. Pivoted todiametrically opposite points of the outer surface of the ring 26 areuprights 27 and 28, each of which has at one edge of its upper endinwardly-directed extensions 29 and 30, respectively, which are disposedmutually parallel and the extremities 31 and 32 of which are bent atright angles to the direction of the opposite extensions 29 and 30.These portions 31 and 32 normally are separated by a slight interspace,but which interspace may be increased by inward compression of theuprights, as will be readily understood. In

connection with this last-named structure there may be employed plates34 and 35, the same in every respect as the plates 17 and 18, and whichare adapted to be disposed upon the supporting and conducting wire 36 ofa lamp 37, the normal separation of the extremities 31 and 32 being lessthan the least diameter of the removable plates 34 and 35. In theapplication of this form ofthe invention the shade is passed upwardlyover the, lamp in the same manner as above described and the uprights 27and 28 are swung in opposite directions upon their pivots to separatethe extremities 31 and 32 from the opposing extensions 29 and 30. Theassembled plates 34 and 35 are then entered between the extremities ofthe extensions 29 and 30 and the uprights 27 and 28 are then returnedupon their pivots to lie parallel with the axis of the ring 26, saiduprights having been previously pressed inwardly to separate theextremities 3l and 32 a sufficient distance lo permit the entrancetherebetween of the plates 34 and 35. When the extremities 31 and 32 arein con tact with the extensions 29 and 30, the uprights are released,when the elasticity of their material will cause the extremities 31 and32 to mutually approach and frictionally engage the plates 34 and 35.Vhen it is desired to adjust the shade, it is only necessary to pressthe uprights inwardly to cause the extremities 31 and 32 to release theplates 34 and 35, when the shade may be adjusted, and when the uprightsare released the shade will be held in its position.

It will of course be understood that, if desired, the uprights 27 and 28may be of inelastic material or may have a rigid mechanical structure,in which event the ring 26 is of spring material, or, if desired, boththe ring and the uprights may be entirely of spring metal, the operationbeing the same in each instance.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings there is shown a third form of clutchmechanism which is adapted for engagement with the casing ofconductor-wires. In this instance a ring 40, preferably of springmaterial, is fixed to the minor end of a shade 41, and-at diametricallyopposite points thereof are pivotally connected the inwardly andupwardly directed extremities 42 of spring-plates 43 and 44. The plates43 and 44 are continued upwardly and inwardly and each has its upperextremity turned inwardly at right angles to the axis of the ring 40,and the inner edge of each inturned extremity is concaved, as shown inFig. 7 of the drawings, to snugly iit against a correspondingly-formcdbody. Fixed to the plate 43, adjacent the inturned extremity thereof, isa supplemental plate 45, extending in the direction of the ring 40 andparallel with the axis thereof and to a point below theinwardly-directed upper extremity of the plate 44, at which point theplate 45 has its lower extremity directed inwardly and parallel with theextremities of plates 43 and ICO IIO

44 and has the edge of its end provided with a semicircular recess inalinement with the recess in the extremity of the plate 43. Thepositions of the plates 43 and 44 are such that normally the upperinturned extremity of the plate 44 will lie between the inturnedextremities of plates 43 and 45. Thus if these extremities are separatedthe spring quality of the plates 43 and 44 will exert a gripping actionbetween the inturned extremities. In the application of this form of theinvention to a body, such as the tubular casing 47, through which thecondnctingwires of a lamp 48 are passed, the plates 43 and 44 are swungin opposite directions upon their pivots and the shade is then passedupwardly and over the lamp. The plates 43 and 44 are then returned upontheir pivots to lie at diametrically opposite sides of the casing 47,the plates 43 and 44 having their upper ends further separated to permitthis adjustment. The upper ends ot said plates being then released,their semicircular recesses, which receive the casing 47 and the wallsof said recesses, will be frictionally engaged with the casing toprevent displacement of the shade. In this form of invention the plates43 and 44 maybe of rigid instead of spring material, and the ring 40 beof spring material, or both may be of spring material, or the plates maybe of spring material and the ring rigid.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings there is shown a shade supplied with a clutchdevice similar to that shown in Fig. l of the drawings, and which clutchis engaged with a tub nlar hanger 50, adjustably mounted upon an upright5l and intended as a table-lamp.

It will of course be understood that in practice the specificconstruction herein shown and described may be varied in form andarrangement, and also that any desired material, proportions, and sizesmay be observed without departing from the spirit ot' the invention.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the structurepresents a shade which may 'be adjusted with respect to the lamp withgreat ease, and thus by its use an electric lamp may be allowed to havea constant illumination, while the shade may be adjusted to coverdiierent portions thereof, and thus to effect a dimming of the light.This adjustment and consequent dimming may be performed as easily as theturning down of an ordinary oil-lamp.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A lamp-shadecomprising a canopy having a clutch connected therewith and adapted forengagement with a support, said clutch comprising a spring-ring and aplurality of elements pivotally connected with the ring .and adapted forslidable engagement with each other to exert a clutching action, sub-Stantially as specified.

2. rlhe combination with a canopy, ot' a spring-ring carried thereby,and clutch elements connected with the ring and extending inwardlythereof and adapted to move into and out of their engaging positions torecede land approach when the ring is distorted and released.

3. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring fixed thereto, clutchelements pivotally connected at opposite sides of the ring and adaptedto be swung into and out of mutual engagement, and to slide with respectto each other as the ring is distorted and released, to operate theclutch, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring carried thereby, andclutch elements connected with the ring at opposite sides thereof, eachot said elements having an inwardly-extendin g portion provided with aclutch-jaw adapted to cooperate with a similar portion ot the oppositeelement, said jaws being adapted to recede and approach as the ring isdistorted and released, substantially as specified.

5. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring iixed to the canopy,and clutch elements connected with the ring and having inwardly-directedportions provided with laterally-extending clutch-faces adapted to exerta clutching action, said elements beingadapted for slidable contact tomove the clutch-faces toward or away from each other, and means forholding the clutch-faces normally in a predetermined position,substantially as specified.

6. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring fixed to the canopy,and clutch elements connected with the ring and having inwardly-directedportions provided with laterally-extending clutch-faces adapted .toexert a clutching action, said elements being adapted for slidablecontact to move the clutch-faces toward or away from each other, andmeans for holding the clutch-faces yieldably in a predeterminedposition, substantially as speciied.

7. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring ixed to the canopy,and clutch elements pivotally connected with the ring and havinginwardly-directed portions provided with laterally-extendingclutch-faces adapted to exert a clutching action, said elements beingadapted for slidable contact to move the clutch-faces toward or awayfrom each other, and means for holding the clutchfaces normally in apredetermined position, substantially as specified.

8. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring fixed tor the canopy,and clutch elements connected with the ring and having inwardly-directedportions provided with laterally-extending clutch-faces adapted to exerta clutching action, said elements being adapted for slidable contact tomove the clutch-faces toward or away from each other, and means forholding the clutch-faces yieldably in a predetermined position,substantially as speciied.

TOO

IIO

9. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring iixed thereto, andspring-pressed clutch elements connected with the ring and extendinginwardly thereof, and adapted to exert pressure in opposite directionsupon an interposed bodypassed through the ring and out of engagementtherewith, substantially as speciiied.

10. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring connected therewith,and clutch elements pivotally connected with the ring andhavin gclutching-faces adapted normally to lie mutually adjacent and adaptedformovement into and out of their engaging positions as the ring isdistorted and released,the clutching-faces lying above and inwardly ofthe ring, substantially as specified.

11. The combination with a canopy, of a clutch element pivoted theretoand having vertically-aliningreeesses,and a second clutch elementpivoted to the canopy and having vertically-alining recesses adapted toaline with the iirst-nained recesses, said elements being adapted to lieone within the other, and means forholding said elements yieldably in aclutching position, substantially as specilied.

12. The combination with a canopy, of a spring-ring carried thereby, aclutch element pivotally connected with the ring and having aclutching-face, and a second clutch clement pivotally connected with thering and adapted to receive the first-named element and having also aclutching-face adapted to coperate with the first-named face,substantially as specified.

13. The combination with a canopy, of a sprin g-rin g carried thereby, aclutch element carried by the ring and having a clutch-face, saidelement having longitudinal corrugations, a second clutch elementlongitudinally corrugated and carried by the ring and having aclutch-face, and adapted to receive the iirst-named element with theircorrugations interineshing, said elements being adapted for slidablemovement with respect to each other to establish and destroy theclutching action, substantially as specified.

14E. A device of the class described com prising a casing adapted forapplication toa wire or other lamp-hanger and including two elementswhich have separate members and a connected web, one of said membersbeing adapted to inclose the other member and slide toward and away fromit to exert dierent degrees of clamping action thereagainst.

15. Adevice of theelass described, comprising a casing adapted toreceive a wire or other lamp-hangerand including two elements eachhaving separate members and a connectingweb, one of said elements beingadapted to receive the other element throughout its length and slidetoward and away from it to exert diierent degrees of clamping actionthereagainst.

16. In a lamp-shade, the combination with a casing adapted forapplication to a cord or other lamp-hanger and including similarelementsinslidable engagement to exertaclamping action upon the hanger,of a canopy having a spring-operated clutch adapted to engage the casing and clamp it upon the hanger.

17. In a lamp-shade, the combination with a casing adapted forapplication to a cord or other lamp-hangerand including similarelementsin slidable engagement to exertaclamping action upon the hanger,of a canopy having a spring-operated clutch adapted to engage theelements of the casing and move them toward each other to exert aclamping action.

1S. In a lamp-shade, the combination with a casing adapted forapplication to a cord or other lamp-hanger and including similarelements in slidable engagement to exert a clamping action upon thehanger, of a canopy having spring-operated clutching-jaws adapted toengage the elements of the casing to support the canopy and clamp saidelements upon the hanger.

19. 'Ihe combination with a canopy,of clutch elements pivoted theretoand adapted for mutual cooperative clutching action, said elements beingindependently movable upon their pivots in directions transversely oftheir clutching movements to establish and destroy their clutchingrelation.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

VALTON DUANE SMITH.

Witnesses:

A. B. CASE, E. G. MATHIS.

